The former Castlemaine home renovator is joining Lifeline and Fight For Your Life in spreading an important message about suicide prevention in the lead-up to the festive season.

“Christmas is a stressful time for a lot of people,” Mr Forbes said. “So we all need to be reminded to keep asking our mates how they are.”

Mr Forbes has been touring businesses and organisations in Heywood, Portland, Simpson and Warrnambool this week.

His not-for-profit charity HALT shares the message of ‘Hope Assistance for Local Tradies’.

HALT is a suicide prevention charity based in Castlemaine linking community to services and starting conversations around mental health.

“It’s getting tradies to talk about mental health and suicide prevention,” he said. “We need to get to places where people work.

Mr Forbes said after a friend’s suicide in 2013 he and his mates struggled with the fear that one of them would be next.

“As blokes we struggle with alcohol, drugs, financial stress, relationships and culture,” he said. “But it’s ingrained in us not to talk about these things.

“We need to open up that conversation and listen without judgement and as guys we struggle with that.”

HALT was set up initially to target the trades industry, but Mr Forbes’ message has grown to include various organisations, farming communities, workplaces and TAFE's across Australia.

Lifeline’s Bess Slater said suicide affected more than just the individual.

“A whole community approach is needed to address suicide prevention,” she said. “We all need to be looking at how we can offer support.”

 * Anyone who needs help can call Lifeline on 131 114